Girl Who Cries At Everything Cries Watching *Serenity*

Full length Reactions + Movie/TV Polls ► / vkunia
Oh my gosh guys.... So Firefly is officially over. I don't want to spoil too much but based off the thumbnail you can tell I was devastated. Firefly was such a great show and it was cut much too short. Serenity was done wonderfully in my opinion and I feel like they tied all of the loose ends well for the short amount they were given. My thoughts are more coherent in the ending review I PROMISE (as coherent as they can be LOL)
I hope you guys enjoy, thank you so much for joining me on this journey :)
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[@randallwright1973]

"I wish there was more" said every Firefly fan in existence.

[@dupersuper1938]

There are comics...

[@Sir_Alex]

Amen

[@daveologhlen]

Truth.

[@LordHoth_90]

@C Parton Angel, so much more emotions

[@politenessman3901]

Perhaps if they'd gotten off their whiney backsides and gone and seen Serenity in the theater, they'd have got more. But they didn't. they can stage all their Browncoat online BS they like but if they won't put up a buck, the studios won't invest and now all you'll get is comic books (though people who like to pretend that they aren't for low attention span children call them 'graphic novels'). The lesson here is if you like the product PAY to see it or it will die.

[@johncourtright1632]

Wash: "I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar." Vicky: "You do this Wash! This is your moment!" Me (thinking): "Oh girl, ... this is gonna hurt."

[@sharkdentures3247]

To be fair, she wasn't WRONG. It WAS Walsh's "moment"! He had done the best flying he had EVER done! (probably the best flying ANYONE in the 'verse had ever done) And successfully made it through a perfect example of "A War in Heaven"! If you have to die, dying quickly, right after your GREATEST moment, isn't a bad way to go!

[@peteramthor]

Well that's how the Reavers clean their harpoons, they put them through the wash.

[@SSJasonM]

@@peteramthor WHY?!

[@robertpinnell9159]

Still to soon

[@ShujinTribble]

@@robertpinnell9159 It will *ALWAYS* be Too Soon

[@nicoleg2544]

River has one of the most beautiful visual storytelling beats I’ve ever seen. She arrived on the show naked and frightened, curled up in the fetal position because she’s a helpless, vulnerable little girl. She leaves the show in the copilot chair, having regained control over herself and her autonomy. She’s flying through a storm but she’ll get through it.

[@LisaRummel83]

The Cinema Therapy videos about her are excellent, and they point out how it's once she starts to heal from her trauma that she can start feeling more in control of herself again! They also mention some of the lighting and such used around her too, which was amusing but not something I would have noticed on my own. haha

[@herbertkeithmiller]

What a beautiful summation. ❤

[@kevinstanton5998]

I always love when the assassin says: "There's a lot of innocent people in the air being killed right now." And mal responded with "You have no idea how true that is." Because even though the reavers are killers, mal is still referring to them as the innocent ones since it was the alliance that did that to them

[@lionhead123]

It also fits perfectly as an opposite to the assassin's philopsophy of a world without sin.

[@Nastyn1nja808]

@@lionhead123 Nothing is True. Everything is Permitted

[@sharkdentures3247]

Honestly? For the longest time I had mistakenly thought Mal had said, "You don't know the HALF of it!". - Which also fits. One half = the people of the Alliance, the other half = the Reavers themselves.

[@this.is.a.username]

"I have tissues on my desk and I am READY" No, you're not.. we never are, no matter how many times we see it.

[@adaddinsane]

Being reminded of Wash's death? Always too soon. It will never be other than "too soon".

[@Helbore]

@@adaddinsane Anyone: I am ready for this movie. Firefly Fans: I'm a leaf on the wind.

[@ShujinTribble]

@@adaddinsane It Will ALWAYS Be "Too Soon".

[@skwervin1]

Seen the movie and watched the series countless times.... and you are never ready. Funny but I am wearing one of my Firefly tshirts today....

[@henningaasland8704]

I saw the series 3!! times in one weekend when I first saw Firefly.. And same with Serenity.. I am and will forever be an Browncoat🤩

[@swordmonkey6635]

Summer Glau was a dancer as well as an actress so her fight scenes and choreography were approached like a dance routine. That's why she's so limber and fluid in her fighting.

[@pirobot668beta]

The camera operator in the big Reaver fight had to learn Summers choreography!

[@ToEuropa]

At one point in the bar fight, Summer Glau demonstrates her dancer's flexibility by back-kicking someone who is behind a pillar that's behind her. Incredible.

[@p.mc.4449]

Summer does well in Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles. There is a short scene of her doing ballet.

[@tsogobauggi8721]

The first time I saw Summer Glau was in her first acting part in Angel (2002) and in that episode she played a ballerina. :)

[@WraithWTF]

It's built into the lore as well...in the pilot episode Simon says "The term is 'gifted.' Everything, science, math, literature, physics, even dance...there's nothing that doesn't come as naturally to her as breathing is for us." Makes sense she'd be incredible at fighting (and a healthy dose of precognition wouldn't hurt).

[@Logan_Baron]

Inara: "I didn't mean to leave stuff (on the shuttle)" Mal: "I didn't look through the stuff" They're both lying.

[@coachmikesfilmroom3111]

Her, "he's smelling it all." Line might be the greatest thing ever said in a reaction lol

[@valashar5313]

Yep. Also that exchange of lines was mostly improv that Nathan and Morena came up with individually on the spot as they were doing their facing shots (where the one not on camera sits just to one side reading their lines so both of them have the back and forth to work with). Between takes, both of them separately came to Joss. Morena said 'Inara absolutely left that crate of stuff behind on purpose and it has some of her best smelling things' then later Nathan came to him saying 'Mal has absolutely been going through that crate of Inara's stuff so he can feel like she's still around'.

[@erikbjelke4411]

It was really just a throw-in line so Inara could have costume changes and a weapon, and they turned it into important character moments. And that's why you hire great actors.

[@folcotook3049]

"Is she going to attack someone?" No, she's going to attack everyone.

[@Psilocybin77]

Gary Oldman delivery.

[@Neocoolzero]

@@Psilocybin77 "EVERRRYYOONNEE!!!"

[@adaddinsane]

My thought exactly.

[@LycanLucian]

@@Neocoolzero I shouted this as I opened the responses to this comment. Hilarious.

[@actaeon299]

Mal isn't being greedy. He's trying to keep his ship in the air, and his crew fed. He's on the ragged edge.

[@philipocallaghan]

"Raggity edge"

[@ItsAsparageese]

@@philipocallaghan Raggedy, I think the conventional spelling is, so you're both half right :P

[@Aeroldoth3]

There once were two popular dolls for kids called Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. It's raggedy.

[@philipocallaghan]

@@Aeroldoth3 There once was a man from nantucket. . . . . . .

[@DoremiFasolatido1979]

@@philipocallaghan And there once was a woman from Venus...

[@endorphinzz]

Mal's first line in the movie: "What was that?" Mal's last line in the movie: "What was that?"

[@Cleancutchaos]

"Can't order me around boy. I'm not one of your crew." "Yes you are" 😭😭😭

[@Gavrev]

Almost everyone who's ever watched Firefly wishes there was more. In fact it was thanks to the fans that the film happened.

[@swish007]

that one quote mal says at the end.. "Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens. Makes her a home." that ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes. such a beautiful line.. and a fitting ending word for the movie/series

[@dongilleo9743]

After he was stabbed with the sword, Mr Universe managed to crawl over to his LoveBot, and leave the message for Mal. Mal puts his hand on Mr Universe before leaving, as something of a "well done", and a sign of respect to him for his final act of courage and determination.

[@ZippyFL1]

"He's never turned on his crew before!" True. But, even as you pointed out earlier, everyone has been giving Mal crap about his leadership decisions. When Book dies, Mal's had enough and knows what needs to be done. So, he essentially tells the crew, "Knock the shit off. It's time to get serious! If you don't like it, there's the door."

[@vitamenecavit]

"I start fighting a war I guarantee you’ll see something new."

[@christophercurtis4131]

When it comes to the deaths of Shepherd Book and Wash, it is Book's death and how it affects Mal that gets me every time. Though I was deeply saddened by the death of Wash and how sudden it was; there was not even time for Wash and Zoe to say goodbye. My favorite scene, though, was Mal and River flying Serenity and Mal's speech about love keeping a boat in the air; it was beautiful, as was that shot of Serenity flying through the rain and then into space. With the music, that final scene was just beautiful. And I love Mal making that move when The Operative thought he had him paralyzed; he never saw that one coming.

[@cslwatkins]

What I do appreciate is that (from what I heard) the reason Book and Wash dies was that they couldn't commit to additional films so they changed the script to kill them off.

[@taproom113]

@@cslwatkins Yep ... facts in evidence. ^v^

[@CrashLandon1]

You'll notice that the shepherd didn't have much time in the movie, and didn't move a lot. Ron Glass was dying of cancer when he did his scenes, and he didn't have a lot of energy, so they kept his involvement small. I've always figured that Book used to be an Operative, like this one. At some point, he might have become disillusioned with the Alliance's ways, and left to change his life and try to atone for some of his deeds. Some fans insist that he wasn't really a shepherd. That may be; he could still have been an active Operative, working undercover on Serenity. I tend to favor the former scenario, myself - but then, I like a good redemption story. :)

[@chiggnBS]

Not quite, but close. I won't spoil here, but there's a graphic novel about his life before the Serenity called "The Shepherd's Tale".

[@GriffinPilgrim]

"I am sorry." "No you're not." That's the worst part; he is. He is deeply, utterly sorry. And despite that he'd do it again in a heartbest.

[@markcarpenter6020]

He is the perfect example of why crusaders (religious, moral, social, all of them) are so dangerous. They are so convinced they are correct, that they are on the "right side" they can use it to justify any atrocity. That's why SJWs and their constant "be better" and " right side of history" scare the hell out of me.

[@GriffinPilgrim]

@@markcarpenter6020 Really? 'Cos I am much more concerned by the self-proclaimed anti-SJW brigade, 'cos I see way more of them. Not that the other side can't get as bad, just I see it less.

[@markcarpenter6020]

@@GriffinPilgrimI've already lived through the hight of right-wing power. I spent most of my youth being told everything I did and liked was evil, satanic, and destroying society (I'm a bi, atheist who grew up in the bible belt). But the right was and still is mostly all bark and no bite. So far I have seen the far left start riots fake threats and hate crimes and try to rewrite history to justify bigotry and racism in the name of equity (equal outcomes, which is impossible unless you pull everyone to the bottom) over equality (equal opportunity). And yes it's bigotry and racism. I know because I've been on the wrong end of both before.

[@winstonmarlowe5254]

@@GriffinPilgrim classic whataboutism

[@GriffinPilgrim]

@@winstonmarlowe5254 If you like. Personally I just found the comment incorrect from my experience. I have often been berated for things like ever suggesting maybe a female protagonist in a game or film is not in fact awful and similar, I have very rarely been berated for the other side. It's not that it has never happened but I've seen far more of the Operative's "whatever bad things I do are fine so long as it's in service to my beliefs" attitude from the right than the left.

[@stratocruising]

The shot when the doors open after River fights the Reavers and she's standing with weapons in both hands is one of the best shots in movie history.

[@nickm-s]

It's right up there with Ripley stepping out of the elevator to rescue Newt in Aliens.

[@elphabarichardson607]

My husband and I used the quote about love keeping her in the air as part of our wedding vows.

[@ernesthakey3396]

When I signed the guest book at my brother's wedding I commented "Shiny!" He and his fiance had bought me Firefly on DVD and said "you gotta watch this."

[@LisaRummel83]

That line is one of my favourite parts in the entire series/movie, I think. And I love how it has dual meaning, one to Mal and one to Zoe.

[@Garryck-1]

*"So I just finished watching Serenity... and I don't know how to feel..."* Believe me, when I say, that's exactly how each and every one of us felt at that moment too. There's only one way, really, to cope with the grief of knowing there's no more to come. And that's to introduce the series to someone else who's never seen it, and wallow in their growing love for the show, and their pain and grief at the ending.

[@rkstevenson5448]

This is the way.

[@Garryck-1]

@@rkstevenson5448 - This is the way.

[@skwervin1]

Had the pleasure of introducing my teenaged kids to Captain Mal and his crew about 10 years ago. I got yelled at for not warning them about Wash. Every so often we have a firefly weekend, watch the series and movies back to back, sing the theme song and dream about Mal picking us up one day and taking us out into the 'verse. Burn the lands and boil the seas, you can't take the sky from me....

[@pendrew]

@@skwervin1 that is excellent parenting

[@allenr0]

Shepherd Book, had the same job as the guy with the sword. But found religion when he retired, that's why he has a high security clearance and knows so much about the man with swords think s and moves.

[@vapormissile]

Shiny. Your theory holds some water.

[@nitpicker42]

@@vapormissile There are several volumes of official comics published by (I believe) Dark Horse that expand the lore of Firefly a bunch, and one of them is "A Shepherd's Tale" which tells us all about his background. So yeah, not a theory =)

[@TheParagade]

The Operator is an amazing villain. Somebody who fully believes he's making the world a better place, but is also fully aware that his actions disqualify himself from having a place in that better world.

[@DerOberfeldwebel]

But thats a sacrifice he was prepared to make. Until he saw what Pax did to Miranda.

[@SnakeDocter15]

and then when that belief was taken, he lost everything. Every line he has is perfect

[@greywolf7577]

He does a good job playing a villain that thinks they are doing good. The ending of the first Dr. Strange movie also set him up to be a villain that thinks he's doing good.

[@baronsengir187]

Hearing your cat trying to cheer you up at the end 😊

[@canoli62]

"I wish there was more." That about sums up the sentiments of every Firefly fan.

[@lordhoot1]

You could 100% cosplay as Kaylee, you have the right look

[@CarlosDesmithy]

And the same bubbly attitude

[@steveross2649]

And she'd have a 1,000 men standing up to be her Simon Tamm.

[@tonycardone990]

Without a doubt

[@lordhoot1]

@@steveross2649 Smooth my dude, smooth

[@pieceofgosa]

"he's never turned on his crew before" He warned Inara that if he started fighting a war then she'd see a side of him they hadn't seen before.

[@davesunhammer4218]

And most people don't know, that wasn't "turning on his crew". That was "We are at war, I am now Wartime Captain Mal, and all wartime ship's regs apply. That is your only notice." Not to turn on them but to give them a better chance to get their heads right and live.

[@KozueMegami]

Because in battle/war-time it's not a committee. Shut up and listen to he who leads.

[@whocaresreallly5886]

In addition he didn't turn he gave them a choice your in or out but you can't be only partially in

[@vitamenecavit]

@@whocaresreallly5886absolutely! the "or take your leave" is very explicitly stated

[@CommadoreGothnogDragonheart]

"I wish there was more." So say we all. 💜

[@davesunhammer4218]

So say we all!

[@ChristianSander1969]

@@davesunhammer4218 no quoting Battlestar here, you traitor !! 😂😂

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

@@ChristianSander1969 he's obviously a cylon...

[@2LucasKane3]

So say we all!

[@Psi105]

And so it begins

[@Con5tantine]

With both the Shepherd and Wash dying, it made you realize that no one was safe. I wasn't there for the theater showing, but I've heard that when Wash died the crowd became deathly silent because they realized that fact -- no one was safe. They all could die here, on the screen, and we'd be there to watch it.

[@ericbogerd5306]

That was exactly how it felt. Book was sad, but slightly more tolerable being off-screen and Book getting his final moment with Mal. In the theater, I was utterly bewildered when the spear hit Wash. I was thinking, 'Oh, Jeez, the Reavers followed them down and now they've got to get that out of Wash and find a way to hold him together until Simon can help him. In hindsight, it's obvious that nothing was going to save him from that shot, but I couldn't grasp in the moment that Wash was actually dead, not just in grave danger. Kind of like Zoe, actually. It wasn't until she told the others that Wash 'wasn't coming' that it really sank in to me that a) Wash was gone, and b) literally ANYONE else was vulnerable. No one was safe, no one off the table. And as the crew started taking injuries and had to pull back, I really wondered if they were going to end the series with Mal the last one standing making a suicide charge to buy time for the signal to get out, maybe taking the Operative out with him off the platform or something. Or that, when the doors finally opened again, We'd find River with a last, peaceful smile on her face, dead or fatally wounded atop a mountain of Reaver corpses. It's something I hadn't really experienced before, most of the time you know beforehand if a character is going to have to sacrifice themself. I was absolutely not prepared for the amount of crying I did in that theater, I'm not the kind to carry tissues with me and I ran out of napkins. Crazy times.

[@p.mc.4449]

Some friends and I saw this twice on opening day, and still felt disturbing the second time seeing Wash dying.

[@andrecanis4894]

Knowing Joss Whedon should have been enough to realize that no one was safe. If you've seen Buffy and Angel you know that Joss likes to kill off characters at the best moments, the worst moments and the most unexpected moments. I'm not going to name names, I'll just say... "The Body" and "Seeing Red"

[@kimmypfeiffer9130]

the magnificent seven ending ...

[@michaelnuzzo5698]

Regarding the "stuff" Inara left - apparently Morena Baccarin told Joss that Inara totally meant to leave the "stuff" and Nathan Fillion separately told Joss that Mal had totally looked at the "stuff".

[@jeremiahalonzo]

Thus marking the last time Joss listened to what an actress thought!

[@sirmoonslosthismind]

@@jeremiahalonzo you are deeply, deeply stupid. go read what laura donnelly, the last female actor to work with whedon, has had to say about the experience. she gushes about him, and calls her experience the best she's ever had working on any set ever.

[@andrewcharles459]

In the deleted scenes we see the stuff. That's where she found the bow.

[@TigerNightmare]

@@sirmoonslosthismind It's almost as if the vast majority the actors who worked with Whedon had a good time to the point where they wanted to work with him again (like Olivia Williams, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion, Alexis Denisof, Felicia Day, Summer Glau, Clark Gregg, Gina Torres, Adam Baldwin, and Eliza Dushku, to name a few) and only a handful who refused to show up and read their lines are the problem. Scarlett Johansson said she texts with him all the time.

[@yemao1852]

Simon: Это курам на смех! Subtitles: SPEAKING CHINESE

[@wendyheatherwood]

There are subtitles for the show that treat the Chinese phrases as a made up language. Whoever did the movie subtitles was like "I'm no going to make THAT mistake!" and they didn't. They made an even more hilarious one instead.

[@snarflcat6187]

Fun Fact: when Simon says "Eta kooram nochs smech" the dvd subtitles says is [SPEAKING CHINESE] is quite incorrect. Its actually Russian. Means "this would make hens laugh," which is a Russian saying, meaning "something utterly ridiculous."

[@nari5025]

@@snarflcat6187 we have this saying in german too "da lachen ja die hühner". makes this scene more ridiculous. and until now i thought it was some scary evil code.

[@hairywelder5188]

It's fun to chickens ??

[@yemao1852]

@@hairywelder5188 in russian older slang it means "ridiculous"

[@MrLainon]

If you haven't seen Doll House you should. It's another Joss Whedon show, and it does eventually have Alan Tudyk near the end of the first season, but I don't want to say anything else to avoid spoilers. The main character, Echo, kind of has a similar feel at times to River; also the actress who played River shows up eventually too, but I don't think that you see her until the second season. The show over all is a little mind bendy, but surprisingly fun and full of action. Kind of like Firefly, it's hard to describe why it's so good; you just have to watch it and see.

[@LisaRummel83]

I absolutely love Alan Tudyk's acting in Dollhouse! I forgot he doesn't show up till later in the first season. And yes, mind bendy is a good way to say it. I'm glad someone else likes that show too! My brother who introduced me to Firefly doesn't. haha

[@kevinlimo696]

It also had slayer Faith.

[@kimmypfeiffer9130]

and was canceled too soon! :P

[@fakecubed]

If you want more of this cast: Mal is in Castle (and a lot of the other cast show up as guest stars). Zoe is in Suits. Wash is in Con Man, Doom Patrol, and does a ton of voice acting. Inara is in Homeland and V. Jayne is in Chuck and The Last Ship. Kaylee is in Stargate: Atlantis. River is in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, The Cape, and The Unit.

[@johnhakansson1832]

Wash is in Dollhouse.

[@michaelbaziotis8287]

And you can always catch a much younger Shepherd Book in Barney Miller!

[@rodentnolastname6612]

The secret to Joss Whedon is that he loves clichés, he loves tropes. He loves them so much that he loves fucking with your expectations of those clichés.

[@scottrabie]

Case in point: The movie Cabin In The Woods

[@rodentnolastname6612]

Exactly. How to approach a number of tropes, then turn them upside-down and make you reexamine their implications

[@ernesthakey3396]

Book: "They'll come at you sideways. You won't see it coming." Whedon: "I'll come at you sideways. You won't see it coming."

[@SuddenReal]

When he started Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he wanted to put Eric Balfour in the main credits of the pilot, just to make sure the audience didn't see his death coming and make it more shocking. He was unable to do so because of financial restrictions.

[@BK45AUS]

My fav firefly joke,by Nathan, " How do reavers clean their spears?..... They put them in the Wash".. Cracks me up everytime..

[@gorrammudder1600]

Ouch dude, Too soon.

[@PhilipWesson]

First of all, how dare you?

[@sean_mccadden]

Too sooonnnn 😭 😭

[@Sara_Feingold]

Love it XD

[@ADDButterfly]

It is sad but I still chuckle every time.

[@Logan_Baron]

Mal's fighting for his Belief. Zoe is fighting for revenge. Kaylee's fighting for the D.

[@teemusid]

Jayne in a fight is a great asset. If he's not in a fight, he's a detriment. He knew how to get Zoe out of "death wish mode" and back into helping the cause.

[@vapormissile]

I use lots of Firefly quotes in the everyday: "Oh God oh God we're all gonna die." "Shiny, let's be bad guys." "I call her Vera." "I'm a leaf on the wind."

[@ghyslainabel]

I swallowed a bug.

[@gree1004]

I aim to misbehave

[@AutoPilate]

I’ll be in my bunk.

[@k1productions87]

"My days of not taking you seriously have certainly come to a middle"

[@HandleTakenlol]

I’ll kill a man in a fair fight, or if I think he’s gonna start a fair fight… If he bothers me, or if there’s a woman… Or if I’m gettin’ paid. Mostly only when I’m gettin’ paid.

[@artboymoy]

Shepard's story is much what we see in The Operative. Shepard Book was someone like him but at some point there was something that opened up his eyes and made him quit working for The Alliance and onto a different path. Who knows where this Operative will end up.

[@scalefree]

Book never really worked for the Alliance, he was going to be a covert operative infiltrating the Alliance leading up to some big operation he sabotaged. Book's not even his true name.

[@FlyinMunky]

It's all explained in Shepard's Tale, a graphic novel. He was recruited by the browncoats after running from an abusive father and was trained to be a spy. He killed a new alliance recruit and took his place. He skyrocketed through the ranks cause the browncoats sacrificed just enough to make him look good and he "decided" to make one big push with all of the alliance forces which was supposed to be a trap. It did it's job in severely reducing the alliance numbers and he was seen as a failure and honorably discharged. The war ended and he became homeless/aimless again and while eating a bowl of chicken noodle soup, he made the connection to God and decided to become a Shepard. I thought it was a good explanation for all the crazy things he knew and did.

[@k1productions87]

@@scalefree Then why did his ID code suddenly have an Alliance ship bending over backwards to help him?

[@scalefree]

@@k1productions87 that was his cover, an Alliance operative. His true loyalty was to the Independents.

[@k1productions87]

@@scalefree I doubt that was the original plan for his character. I think that is more fan retcon to make him an unambiguously "good guy" But this is a world that has far more murky shades of grey

[@davidmeir9348]

I saw the movie before the Firefly serie (same with Cowboy Bebop), and I was immediately hooked in. The crew is so great, you just can connect with the characters and that's what makes the serie so awsome. It's harder to see the movie after the serie because the loss of certain characters hits much more.

[@blitzgirl6522]

I also saw the movie before I watched the show, but the movie does such a great job introducing each of the characters to newcomers to the series.

[@davidmeir9348]

@@blitzgirl6522 It really does. Firefly might be Joss Whedon greatest achievement.

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

You wanted to know what was sheppards backstory, I think you just saw it, in a way. He was pretty clearly alliance, someone important, good at combat, peek physical ability, but got disillusioned. Pretty simmilar to the operative no?

[@fiddiehacked]

I was thinking Shepherd used to be a successful military officer (General?) from a wealthy family. He took took the blame (retired) to cover up an Alliance political faux-pas, and we first met him a couple years later.

[@DavidSmith-mt7tb]

There's a comic that goes more into it if anyone is interested.

[@k1productions87]

I like the idea of Book being a former Operative who had a literal "coming to Jesus" moment and changed his tune. And unlike others who cannot just walk away, Operatives are of a special class that the Alliance cannot touch, even if they wish to just leave.

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

Yep, kind of a cross between special forces and spy for the alliance.

[@egk2584]

It was fun visiting this universe with you, Vkunia. Just remember, you can't stop the signal, Firefly can play on a loop. Give it a few months and you may want to start all over again. I have many times. :)

[@Otokichi786]

Just like "Futurama" fans. From "Meanwhile" to "Space Pilot 3000" and back again...and again.;)

[@hawkthorn33]

One of the tings that literally took years to come out, was the Inara story. Joss has said that she actually had a terminal illness, and that is why she left her house :Hart of gold "her leaving came as a real shock" It also addresses the mystery syringe from pilot episode. It is why she struggled so hard to keep Mal at arms length, she wanted to spare him the pain of her death.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

Huh. Always wondered about that syringe. Joss mentioned on the commentary that most people assumed it was a suicide kit in case the Reavers boarded, and that while that wasn't the intent of the scene, it was okay if they took it that way, since the real explanation was never going to get to come out.

[@feralart]

The syringe contained a mixture that would make sexual contact with the injected (Inara) fatal for the assaulter (as Reavers are known to do). There was reportedly a planned story for season two that would see Inara captured and using the syringe, only to be found later upon rescue surrounded by the corpses of her captors. Pretty dark stuff; but given all the things that have come to light about Whedon, not entirely surprising.

[@randallmccoy8581]

Firefly was a gem and I also knew when I watched that one season that there would be no more. It was the FANS who made the "wrapup" film SERENITY a reality because they just wouldn't let it die. As a result, SERENITY is one of the best sci-fi films EVER. The premise and settings and the witty writing made this stuff very cool, but the WONDERFUL CHARACTERS are the magical ingredient that really hooked us all in. This was outstanding stuff.

[@scalefree]

when River kicks Simon in the throat she's only shutting off his ability to turn her off with the magic phrase.

[@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t]

Hve to be careful with that, though. Fracture the larynx and the swelling might suffocate him.

[@Henrik_Holst]

@@f0rth3l0v30fchr15t She's an expert so there is no risk :)

[@gorrammudder1600]

Such a bittersweet moment, this is by a wide margin my favorite sci-fi series/film the east/west cultural mixture us great. The focus on freedom and living on the edge rather than ultra tech future is wonderful. Such a shame it was cut so short.

[@FlyinMunky]

So Whedon is notorious for breaking up his couples. Whether this is true or not, he said later that if the show continued Wash and Zoe would have been the one couple to live happily ever after. It makes Wash's death even more painful. Book at least got to be an actual Shepherd of his faith and went out guns blazing to protect his flock. Mr. Universe? That would've been a cool character in the series.

[@Logan_Baron]

I like that in the first episode Mal didn't like having a Shepard on his ship. And then here he says that Book is part of his crew. And their relationship gives the impression that during the between time Book became somewhat of a mentor and moral compass to Mal. While Mal never took to the religious part, he seems to have trusted and appreciated Books guidance.

[@skwervin1]

I saw somewhere how each of the crew were an aspect of Mal Book was his lost faith - see the first episodes and how he believed God would save them and was betrayed Innara was his lost love - I can't give time to love because I will get hurt or hurt the one who loves me by dying Jayne was how he wished he could just be carefree, shoot whoever he wanted and not give a damn Simon was his responsibilty he felt to the crew, how he cares for River is how Mal feels about the crew but can't show it Zoe was how he wanted to lead- be liked and loved, calm in a situation. River was his fears in human form, her lack of control of being beholden to others Mal cannot stand that. Kaylee - she is nothing but innocence in the long run - innocence he lost on the battlefield. Wash - well Wash was the happiest person he knew - had a job he loved, a wife he loved and he didn't have to worry because he was happy - something Mal could not allow himself to be.

[@Cg23sailor]

"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soa---" I wasn't even looking at the clip I've seen over a dozen times. I was staring right at you, looking for that exact instant you realized what happened. Your reaction was as heartbreaking as seeing Wash's death the first time. I just finished marathoning your Firefly and Serenity videos. You got a new subscriber.

[@maingun07]

I'm not sure what made me tear up more, living through Book and Wash again or Vicky's reaction. Allergies. I blame allergies.

[@ZippyFL1]

You'll have allergy problems a lot watching Vicky watch stuff.

[@Cybrludite]

Onion-chopping ninjas.

[@larrystuder8543]

Smoke from the BBQ last week. Getscto me every time...😉

[@otakuwolf4ever985]

"SOMEBODY FIRE!!" I love watching the calm and cool characters just lose their s**t.

[@Archie2c]

It was A Wild Bunch moment that we thought no one would Survive

[@kimmypfeiffer9130]

magnificent seven...though i've never seen the wild bunch!

[@yeetyboi3951]

In a way every Firefly fan wishes there was more, but at the same time I’m glad the show ended on a brilliant send off. Too many shows these days outstay their welcome and just end up bad. Firefly is fantastic and will always be a standout. The crew of the Serenity’s story has a lovely start and brilliant finish, that’s more than a lot of shows get. More content from the Firefly universe however? That I’d love to see.

[@tSp289]

Listen to the instrumental version of the theme song played at the end of Serenity. It'd totally deliberate that the last bar is missing. It's a statement that Firefly got cut short before its time, and so the song never resolves. I love that touch.

[@bobriemersma]

I guess she hasn't heard of the series "Resident Alien."

[@iAmEbolaWoT]

No matter how many times I watch this move, the death of Shepard Book and Walsh bring me to tears...EVERY DAMN TIME. And I discovered, even watching reactions it holds true. My understanding is that they had to kill off Book and Walsh to make no doubts that this was the one and only "last hurrah" for the 'Verse. No potential sequel...it was done.

[@SolidSnake8295]

“How do Reavers clean their spears? They run 'em through the Wash.” - Nathan Fillion

[@Logan_Baron]

It's always too soon......... Also it's Always funny.

[@whocaresreallly5886]

Been searching through the comments hoping i wouldn't be the one compelled to say it

[@amuppet8855]

14 episodes and a movie of awesomeness, followed by a lifetime of depression 😢😅

[@Alte.Kameraden]

Btw the villain in this film is a proper one. As my favorite quote goes. "Some of the worst things imaginable happened out of good intentions." Allen Grant from Jurassic Park III. Sums up ever evil ideologue in history. Even Hitler believed he was saving the world.

[@lordmortarius538]

Wizard's Second Rule.

[@Corn_Pone_Flicks]

I'm always surprised by how many people think the film didn't explain the Shepherd's story...it's not spelled out explicitly, but the film made it pretty clear that he had also been an operative or something similar; the mere fact that he even knew about them showed that he was privy to secrets most of the Alliance didn't know. My favorite exchange in the film is something I didn't catch the first time through, when the operative tells Mal "A lot of innocent people are dying up there," meaning his men, and Mal answers, "You don't know how true that is," meaning the Reavers, who he now realizes were also innocent victims...they didn't choose to be they way they became.

[@xenontouchstone]

The suits did the dirty on Joss and killed his series, only the outcry from the fans made the film possible and Joss had to try and cram everything into that instead of future episodes, he did as well as he could. from showing the series at a dead time to showing it out of order, the suits tried to kill Firefly from the beginning, but the fans keep it alive.

[@SeerMagicX]

It's Joss.

[@xenontouchstone]

@@SeerMagicX darn autocorrect, I should have noticed.

[@joshuaspinney3208]

“I wish there was more” is literally the exact same thing I say every time I watch this.

[@saberstrike000]

Concerning Book's story, I recommend the comic "The Shepherd's Tale" by Jed Whedon (Joss' brother and one of the showrunners for Agents of SHIELD.) It tells his backstory in a very interesting way. Alan Tudyk does an insane amount of voice work, but most recently that I remember he was the villain in the live action Doom Patrol and the voice of the Joker in the Harley Quinn series (both very good.)

[@BarronessM]

Also Hei Hei the chicken from Moana and the Tucan from Encanto (I don't know why he's constantly cast a non-speaking birds lol) A favourite comment about him is "That chicken went to Juilliard"

[@sean_mccadden]

The Operative was never necessarily evil, at least not in his eyes. He was so strong in his beliefs that hes willing to do anything to attain his goal. When he saw the report though about Miranda and the Reavers, his beliefs were lost hence why he let them go

[@Tantalus010]

Personally, I've never liked labeling people as good or evil. It's too simplistic. Life isn't black or white; it's shades of gray and all that. The characters in this movie are perfect examples. There are no white knights in shining armor nor moustache-twirling villains: all the "good guys" have done some wrong and the "bad guy" did some good.

[@sean_mccadden]

@@Tantalus010 Yeah I definitely agree. “We’re all the hero of our story and the villain of someone elses”. This whole thing though was what Shepherd meant by belief, believing in so much with what you want to attain that you’re willing to do nearly anything to attain it.

[@Michael75579]

Mal wasn't being merciful by letting him live. The Operative got to watch everything he'd worked for being destroyed, rendering the atrocities he'd committed meaningless, then had to live with that.

[@subjectd6985]

I actually saw this movie first, not knowing it was a sequel, and still loved it. Now I've seen the show it's obvious that it's several seasons worth of plot squeezed into one narrative, it's very impressive that they pulled it off so well.

[@TearDownGenesis]

I think that was the goal to try and make it so it could stand on its own. that's why they have the River thing at the start to help new people understand.

[@swish007]

me too!

[@Bill_pierre]

So many things feel compelled t' be said; ain't a one will do it all justice, so I'll just say this; welcome to the crew, Sis'... it's been a fun journey watching your reactions throughout. All us gone through the ride in our own times, find ourselves missing a home n' family -only exists in our hearts. Glad y'joined us. Welcome to the crew. Keep flying 🤎

[@lentrax2991]

They can't take the sky from us...

[@Jskew]

I dubb thee official Browncoat. Our joy is also our sadness. We deserve more Firefly. I feel this was Joss Whedon's masterpiece. Much love and keep on keepin on. You are like River. Beautiful, young and genius. J.

[@Daremo6969]

There is a channel called "Movies with Mikey" that did a vid about this.....not a review watch like this, but more like an introspective (? no idea what its called) of the story itself, how it was told and who played etc. Anyway, towards the end he was describing the reaction in the theater when Wash died....described it as dead silence then a woman wailed and started crying, unconsolably weeping . I tear up at that story and I'm a dude that doesn't get very emotional.

[@TigerNightmare]

This was one of the few films I saw on its opening night. The theater was half full, seemingly all fans of the show if shared reactions are anything to go by. We were all hoping for more movies or a revival of the show, but Universal's marketing campaign left a lot to be desired, so cult status or noble failure, whatever you call it, that's all we get and that's why, but affection for these characters never stops growing. That first shot of Serenity where the camera moves around her and the solo cello is joined by many others, I had a knot in my throat. It was a reunion. Years after the show was cancelled, it was such a warm and overwhelmingly emotional moment. It felt like coming home. Wash's last words got a big laugh, immediately followed by gasps combined with faint 'No!'s and whatever you call sad human sounds that aren't quite moans. I felt a sick numbness for several minutes before I could recover. I don't think I've ever had such a collective experience with a movie audience before or since. Like Mal says, love is the difference. I usually see good movies and feel the same things as everyone else there, but love for these characters brought us all closer for a couple hours. I can't speak for the other people that were there, but I imagine many of them were like me, whose passion helped others find that same undying love.

[@daveb947]

While The Operative is "evil", hes also awesome.

[@larrystuder8543]

Not sure "evil" is quite the right word. He does horrible, evil things. He acknowledges that. He has not lost his mind or hid conscience. He has just committed to his mission, his orders, absolutely. No doubt, no question...

[@daveb947]

@@larrystuder8543 like in Star Wars, its all a matter of perspective. Good people will do bad things that they feel is right. Mal kinda did that with the guy trying to board the vehicle during the escape from the robbery. Zoey pointed it out as well.

[@lionhead123]

@@larrystuder8543 if he does horrible, evil things, he is evil.

[@lionhead123]

@@daveb947 what Mal did was not as abstract as what the Operative is doing though.

[@AirborneWaterBoy]

@@larrystuder8543 He's definitely "Lawful Evil"

[@demonbuddy1]

"A girl who cries at Everything. " None of us who watch you would do so if you were emotionless, even though you are a 10 out of 10 in the cuteness scale.

[@jeremyfrost2636]

Obligatory "Vicky looks like Kaylee" comment because this is the last time it's on topic to say so. 😭

[@Caseytify]

I don't recall in which episode he said it, but once Mal said "If I go to war, you'll see something new." Now, we'll see it. As for the Operative, he's an idealist in a twisted way. Recall that he said that there will be no place for him in the new world. He recognizes & admits that he's a murderer, but believes it's worth it. Very much a broken eggs to make an omelet kinda guy. So, when Mal shows him the tape, he realizes the world he's working towards is just as flawed as this one, which destroys his sense of purpose. That's one Hell of a thing to do to anyone. That's why he tells Mal at the end "there's nothing there." Look forward to future reactions. :)

[@Helbore]

I'm pretty sure it was in the movie that Mal said that to Inara. Which is why we get that big change in character when he suddenly tells the crew he'll "shoot them down," if they get in his way. That was his switch from "peacetime daddy Mal," to "wartime General Mal."

[@TearDownGenesis]

I like to imagine that Shepard was in the same group as that assassin guy. It would explain how he was really good with guns and knew a lot of ins and outs but wasn't well known. Only had an ID that gave him high access. I'm sure that isn't it, since there is a comic that explains his back story. ALSO: If you like Alan he is staring in a newer show called "Resident Alien" I'm not sure if its "reaction" type of show, but still its good to watch.

[@LightningRaven42]

There's a comic book explaining more about Shepherd. He was a criminal and at some point worked in The Alliance (can't remember if before or after he became a criminal).

[@NoChance345]

I love Sci-fi stuff and actually saw Serenity before I knew Firefly even existed. Serenity instantly became one my all time favorite movies, and then I found out about Firefly and got watch that. I love both but Serenity will always hold the top spot for me. It was one of only 3 times in my life where I watched a movie I had no knowledge of whatsoever and it turning out to be amazing.

[@monarch-black]

If you want another good Alan movie, you need to watch Tucker & Dale vs Evil. I recommended it for Halloween, but it's a good movie anytime.

[@rickbruner5525]

He was also outstanding in Death at a Funeral

[@ughthedestroyer]

There is a follow up comic book series you'll want to check out. It shows Shepard's back story and the continuing/prequel adventures of the crew as written by the original writers.

[@michaeltempsch5282]

And the River Tam sessions, about her time at the Institute

[@alanhilton3611]

Watching The Crew struggle to stay alive at the end was really traumatic for me the first time I saw this film and Wash's death came like a shot to the heart seeing characters you've grown to love struggle to survive.... you're now officially a browncoat Vicky.

[@Liwet.]

You weren't the only one to get shot in the heart.

[@neils123]

So glad you chose to watch Firefly/Serenity. Truly a special series that never got its due when it was on the air. If you love Alan Tudyk (and really, who doesn't?), and want to see more of him, please please please check out "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil". It's a wonderful, funny, and deeply underrated film that I think you'll love.

[@tristandelasuertemexcla]

The girl who cries at everything strangely such a beautiful nickname.

[@hardcarry]

Love that it starts off with a dream inside a flashback inside a holographic recording and subverts expectations of standard movie technique & writing.

[@spidersj12]

You'll love the Sci-fi TV series "Dark Matter"

[@mikemuir0178]

I think the whole story with the assassin was great. The Assassin knew he was doing wrong, but his belief in the cause made him take the actions he did. How Mel turned that belief on its head... Usually the antagonist is killed in such movies. Sparing the assassin was a brilliant move on the writer and director's part. My compliments to the actors as well.

[@IamnotJohnFord]

I think a lot of people miss the look River gives Mal when Mal threatens the crew with loyalty or he'll shoot them himself. She looks surprised because she can read his mind, and she realizes he really meant what he said.

[@voxorox]

I've seen quite a few reactions to this one. The scene with Wash gets them every time. And you never really get over it.

[@bryanmacklem2654]

Well Vik we all did earn you that this was going to be an emotional rollwr coaster. The bloopers for this are fantastic. Mal saying "Put Books body front and center we should honor him, also find the kid taking a dirt nap with Jesus...we need a hood ornament" had me in stitches. Alan Tudyk did an interview where he made a joke about why everyone else's script all went to page 120 and his only went to 90.

[@TheAlja]

Killing both Wash and Shepard was just so much. And because everyone loves Wash so much, it overshadows the loss of Shepard a bit. Which is sad as the Shepard never got the spotlight but he was such a great addition to the crew. He had some really awesome moments. And of course it would have been so cool to learn about his backstory over time if there had been some more seasons. Especially sad considering that Ron Glass, who played Shepard, died in 2016. - Which makes me really angry at Fox for cancelling and not giving us and him the chance to enjoy some more of his acting.

[@AlexSeverinski]

How do you clean your spears? I put them through the Wash.

[@DevinMoorhead]

Too soon

[@millernumber1]

This has been quite a ride. I watched this show in 2006, the year after the movie came out, and I was blown away. Watched it again many times, most recently two years ago with my youngest sister. So glad to see more people falling in love with it. Can't wait for Mando season 2!

[@kregprice9555]

If you want to see this story continue, the creator/director Joss Wheadon and friends made a graphic novel of Serenity. You get to see some of Shepard's history. I think there are at least 5 books of continued story. I love this series.

[@philt2170]

Ron Glass and Alan Tudek only signed on to do 1 movie, while the rest of the cast was open for sequels. Whedon had to choose to make a Serenity movie for general audience or a Firefly fan conclusion story. He decided the Fan film was more important because a Sequel wasn't guaranteed anyways. Killing off Book and Wash not only would explain their absence in a subsequent movie but serve to subvert audience expectations as to whether the Serenity Crew will all survive therefore raising the tension.

[@Broncoburger]

One of the best ensemble casts ever assembled(whoever did the casting was a genius) unfortunately they were managed by morons and never got a fair opportunity . This should have been one of the greatest show ever on television. Instead it ended far too soon. But at least we got a Grand ending. They really should do a reboot but Nathan is kind of busy these days.

[@davidkistler6749]

Bit of trivia about why Wash had to die: Alan Tudyk (Wash's actor) wouldn't commit to returning for a sequel. Or, rather, he wouldn't commit to returning for an extremely low paycheck, and the studio wanted to keep the cost of a potential sequel low if they were going to take a risk on the franchise.

[@davidgilder3173]

Books character also...

[@craigwheller]

Ron Glass was dying at the time

[@daveb947]

Also, the actor for Shepherd was dying of cancer and thats why hes not in the movie long. His backstory was filled in with a comic series and the fates of the rest were more layed out.

[@TheRawrnstuff]

Ron Glass was diagnosed with throat cancer in the late 70's, and died of respiratory failure in 2016; 11 years after Serenity.

[@Supermanfan99]

Dying of cancer is certainly a weird choice of words considering he never died from cancer.

[@daveb947]

@@TheRawrnstuff i think it cancer came back during the fiming though. So i was clearly wrong. And thanks for reminding me of his name. He was great in Barney Miller.🖒

[@RedmoonIndustries]

I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar" has become a great in-joke for Firefly fans, Alan included. The term "Fight like a girl" was redefined by this movie.

[@cboscari]

To be fair, Buffy The Vampire Slayer predated Firefly. Whedon has an archetype he likes to use, but he does it well so I'm not complaining. Buffy was no slouch.

[@SaulOhio]

If you really want to know the story of Shepherd Book, there is a book, called "A Shepherd's Tale". I haven't read it, yet. As to The Operative, often the best villains are ones who sincerely believe that the ends justify the means, that they are doing terrible things, but to achieve some greater good. They are always wrong. The saying is that you can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. But human lives are not eggs, and nobody ever gets to enjoy the omelet. Which is why they are villains.

[@joelsplawn5933]

I saw the movie first and loved it. Just shows how well written it was. Every character is interesting and lovable, even the villain.

[@jeffburnham6611]

I believe I'm not alone when I say that I think you've earned your browncoat.

[@wristcontr0l]

Can't believe I just found another Browncoat! It's difficult to describe the mixture of joy and sadness I felt seeing this in theatres in 2005. Joy from seeing these characters again, sadness from knowing it would be the last time. Well, that, and "I'm a leaf on the wind..."

[@spencergreen3581]

So my favorite theory of Shepherds past is that he was once an operative for the Alliance like the antagonist for this movie was. It would explain his familiarity with weapons, his calm in stressful situations, and there was that scene when he was injured and he handed the doctors a card that immediately made them help him with no questions asked

[@HelloThere.GeneralKenobi]

I wasn't sure about watching this video because everyone else who has watched/reacted broke this up in a few videos. You're the first to do it in one. I'm sure you'll find some time to watch the series and the movie again in the future. Welcome fellow Browncoat!!

[@MrNikko1982]

I saw that movie 16 years ago & im still not over wash’s death! What does help is that in the expanded story, Zoe was pregnant.. so even though wash was gone, they had the baby they always wanted! Xx

[@pieceofgosa]

Shepherd Derriah Book (which wasn't his name, we'll get to that) was a double agent during the war of reunification. He joined up with the independents when he was a young man & showed an aptitude for espionage. He was ordered to kill an Alliance citizen, assume their identity & join the military where he could then act as a spy. So the guy he killed was Derriah Book. He was quite the hit in the Alliance military, gaining rapid promotions till he found himself the head of a special ops outfit. He was then ordered by his secret, rebel commanders to deliberately botch an upcoming Alliance operation. He did so to spectacular effect, hundreds of Alliance soldiers died, it was a total disaster. So bad in fact that the authorities decided to cover it up & Book (instead of being arrested) was simply cashiered from the military. After the Battle of Serenity Valley effectively ended the war, Book found himself homeless & disillusioned. He wandered into a soup kitchen and while eating he says he found God. He joined the Order of Shepherds and when we first meet him in episode 1, he has just completed his training & is off to minister to the outer rim planets.